Photographs by Darrin Zammit-Lupi (1-3), and Joe Smith (4-5)
Choreography by Jose Agudo
Premiered as part of Erbgħa(4)
Selah is a is a term that can be found both following passages in the bible, and in music, meaning the time to reflect, or the ‘silents in between.’ With a focus on ideas of religious rebellion, Selah is inspired by writings of Martin Luther, the German teacher and monk who brought about the protestant reformation in the 1500’s, and who talks about ‘removing all theatricality from the church,’ in order to ‘return to the purity of the Bible.’
Selah is about the moment of rupture. It’s that moment when things change, the moment that we give pause to, to stop and listen. Inspired by the renaissance and the baroque, and heavily by the presence of religion in Malta, Jose Agudo presents ‘Selah,’ as part of ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble’s premiere season.
Choosing the piece to open this highly anticipated event must not have been an easy task for Artistic Director Mavin Khoo. It had to draw in an audience which has been waiting for such an event to take place for years. The chosen piece, Selah, successfully achieved this and more.
Claire Caruana, The Sunday Times of Malta
Malta’s national contemporary dance company, ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble, will launch its first season with ERBGĦA(4) a premiere featuring four dances by four choreographers. The mixed bill will present distinctive works that demonstrate the versatility and diversity of the company within its Euro-Mediterranean context and sensibility. Newly commissioned works include ; ‘Selah’ by UK based Spanish choreographer Jose Agudo (new music by Vincenzo Lamagna), ‘Iż-Żmien’ by Maltese choreographer Francesca Tranter (music by Walter Micallef) and a company ensemble work by artistic director Mavin Khoo (performed to Stabat Mater by 18th century Maltese – Italian composer Girolamo Abos). The premiere concludes with a piece that is re-staged for the company, a duet, ‘Kick the Bucket’ by Dutch based Spanish choreographer Iván Pérez Avilés (music by Aaron Martin).
Duration: 30 minutes
